Cop killed in shootout with freed drug suspect to be honored

Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa said Cpl. Ronnie Tamaliwan of the Bulacan Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) engaged the group of a certain Nesty Nacino alias Wek — who has just been released from Bulacan provincial jail for a drug case – in a firefight last Friday. (Contributed photo via PNA)

MANILA — A police officer who was killed in a shootout with a freed drug suspect in Bulacan on Friday (Oct. 18) will be honored for his ‘bravery and heroism”.

Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa said Cpl. Ronnie Tamaliwan of the Bulacan Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) engaged the group of a certain Nesty Nacino alias Wek — who has just been released from Bulacan provincial jail for a drug case – in a firefight last Friday.

“The Philippine National Police will fully give financial support and bestow the coveted PNP Heroism Medal to another yet police hero who offered the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty during an armed encounter in Bulacan,” Gamboa said in a statement on Sunday.

Gamboa assured the families and kin of the “fallen hero cop” of financial support and social benefits for police personnel who offered the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

“On behalf of a grateful nation, the PNP high command extends condolences to the bereaved family of PCpl Ronnie Tamaliwan,” Gamboa said.

He said surviving kin of the 29-year-old Tamaliwan will receive PHP250,000 from the President’s Social Fund, at least PHP181,000 Special Financial Assistance from the PNP, PHP50,000 burial benefits, and PHP200,000 gratuity from the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

“PNP members of the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund are also entitled to death insurance depending on rank,” he added.

Gamboa said the death benefits are on top of the estimated PHP15,000 pesos monthly lifetime pension from the PNP and roughly the same amount of pension for five years from the Napolcom.

According to the police reports, Tamaliwan and other police operatives of Bulacan responded to a call regarding an armed group creating trouble and challenging village watchmen in Barangay Lalangan, Plaridel, Bulacan.

Gamboa said Bulacan proceeded to the area and engaged Nacino’s group in a shootout resulting in the death of Tamaliwan and Nacino.

S/Sgt. Marlon Manalaysay Eugenio, 39, was also hit during the shootout, but was “discharged” already from the hospital and now undergoing recovery.